Durban’s dirtiest area to benefit from clean-up
CATO Crest has been identified as one of the most rubbish infested areas within the ethekwini Municipality’s boundaries, due mainly to poor refuse collection.
The revelation has been made by the Junior Chamber International (JCI), an NGO run by young active citizens, having reviewed research by scholars and academics.
Therefore, the organisation aims to assist in educating the community about the dangers of their living conditions, and how they can play a part in making a positive change.
As a result, JCI has partnered with Plastics SA, the city and local radio stations to hold a massive clean-up campaign next month, which will coincide with the inaugural World Clean-up Day (September 15).
Cato Crest is about 5km from Durban’s CBD and has a dense population that has to bear the consequences of poor sanitation, which can lead to the proliferation of waterborne diseases.
The appalling living conditions, including rubbish piles, places children’s health under great risk.
The area’s population is growing at a rapid rate because residents who live there informally prefer living in close proximity to the city centre.
Keri Khoza, director of JCI in Durban, said while conducting research there, it was found that the city’s waste removal service was constantly being interrupted.
This then led to ongoing service delivery strikes, which also contributed to the areas’ waste infestation problem because rubbish was found strewn on streets and pavements after demonstrations.
“There are several challenges facing the Cato Crest community. We believe that our clean-up campaign will make a difference.
“We have recruited young people to champion our initiatives in the area. We have taught them waste reducing techniques and we hope the campaign will bring change and waste awareness to the community,” said Khoza.
Ward councillor Mzimuni Ngubo said the clean-up would assist them as they battled with waste removal issues due to ongoing disputes between the municipality and the hired contractors.
Ngubo said in some instances, residents waited months for their rubbish to be collected.
“It is not strange that our area is the most dirty in Durban. We have made numerous calls to the city to resolve issues with the contractors but the situation remains the same.
“We also conduct our own clean-up campaigns with local churches and NGOS to reduce the piling mounds of garbage on our streets,” he said.
Ngobo said the population growth was another big challenge.
“We have new people relocating here every month. As a result, some tenants who are not familiar with the city’s waste collection schedule, put out their black bags on the wrong days,” said Ngubo.
“Rodent infestation of Cato Crest is due to the large amount of garbage strewn on the streets.
“We are happy that our area has been chosen for this massive clean-up.”
The clean-up will take place on September 15 at 10am. The meeting point is at the corner of Amandla Crest Way and Mary Thiphe Street.